Thread: Sling vs Shooting Sticks Hunting

When you're out hunting and have to take a shot sitting or kneeling. Do you use a sling, shooting sticks, or unsupported? Do shooting sticks give enough of an advantage over a sling to lug around?

Never used shooting sticks so cant comment for them. I usually just sit on my ass, elbows on my knees or sit behind my pack with rifle across the top. If its a longer shot, lay down with rifle across the pack, or use bipod if the situation allows.

Ive just purchased a bog deathgrip infinite carbon tripod while i was in the USA couple weeks ago. Have found lately alot of my shooting has been longer distances but in some situations i havent been able to take a shot because bipod wont work (too low, need the elevation to see over scrub etc) and wasnt comfortable enough to take a 4-500m shot just causally resting against a tree etc, so decided to give the tripod a go. Will spend some time with it at the range first but seems to be quite nice to use & its lighter than the previous deathgrip models.

Depends on the type f shooting you are doing but IMO yes. I use stick a lot now. Much more stable.

I use a sling as often as possible, once you learn to shoot with one, you’ll never want to shoot without it.

I genuinely thought this was a thread about using a sling and stone versus a rifle (bang stick). Slightly disappointed lol

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Sitting and supporting left upper arm on left inner thigh and right upper arm on right inner thigh (right handed). I personally hate carrying my hunting rifle around with a sling on it and I have never carried nor wanted to carry shooting sticks.

Originally Posted by stagstalker

Sitting and supporting left upper arm on left inner thigh and right upper arm on right inner thigh (right handed). I personally hate carrying my hunting rifle around with a sling on it and I have never carried nor wanted to carry shooting sticks.

absolutely agree with stagstalker in 50 + years of hunting ( feck showing age ) I do not use a sling or sticks - I carry a lite weight Uncle Mike sling for use on a horse or quad but hunting no take it off and carry rifle ready to go - use day pack - mound of dirt - knees - whatever is handy as a rest - in all my years of hunting 50+ I have never ever seen a hunter carry shooting sticks except on videos of South Africa - this is not South Africa - carry your rifle ready to shoot - unless in South Island and humping up a dirty ridge then strap to pack if you have to - so many hunters have lost deer carrying their rifle on sling and just to slow getting it ready to shoot when deer comes up in front - nah be ready

well I buck the trend here..use a sling all the time but never for shooting... sitting off my knees is just about as accurate as prone,its method most often used shooting wallabies up in tussocks. will shoot over my pack if time and terrain allow. have used walking pole in left hand and held rifle with 3 fingers out off side of it to good effect before too.

I shoot off a pair of walking poles in steep tussock and it works great and I even use a sling too at times ...

Depends on the environment. Love sticks for my farm rabbit hunting, but can't see myself taking them in to the bush. There's always a tree to lean on, or if there isn't time, then I shoot unsupported. I'm generally shooting very short distances.

Getting older love my Sticks, it a 4 stick set up, that holds the front & back of the rifle, orginally set up to get some height for shooting rabbits, flat long grass land. When tied together makes a excellent pole for balance crossing rivers extra. Weighs bugger all, wouldn't be without them, have shot inch groups at 200M.

Originally Posted by flock

Getting older love my Sticks, it a 4 stick set up, that holds the front & back of the rifle, orginally set up to get some height for shooting rabbits, flat long grass land. When tied together makes a excellent pole for balance crossing rivers extra. Weighs bugger all, wouldn't be without them, have shot inch groups at 200M.

I've seen some extraordinary shooting here off sticks @Kiwi-Hunter is a maestro, off stick with his 17 no rabbit within 150M is safe. He has shoulder issues so the sticks are essential to his shooting. His example persuaded me to get a set (of the Danish 4 leg ones) and they are incredibly useful.

I also have a set of the ‘Danish 4 leg ones’ (Viper Flex Journey). Use them a lot for hunting on reasonably flat ground like river clearings and wouldn’t leave them behind in this sort of country.

Not so easy to use in hilly country because of the mechanism for altering the leg length - it is a bit cumbersome.

Extremely stable to shoot off in the right terrain though.

Originally Posted by Eat Meater

I genuinely thought this was a thread about using a sling and stone versus a rifle (bang stick). Slightly disappointed lol

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Well, wince you asked, @ Eat Meater - slings are cheaper to feed than rifles, and if you use a 6.5mm stone, very powerful and accurate. They also don't require licensing just yet, but if you have to register it in the future, you can add a serial number with a sharpie.

Originally Posted by Sauer

I also have a set of the ‘Danish 4 leg ones’ (Viper Flex Journey). Use them a lot for hunting on reasonably flat ground like river clearings and wouldn’t leave them behind in this sort of country.

Not so easy to use in hilly country because of the mechanism for altering the leg length - it is a bit cumbersome.

Extremely stable to shoot off in the right terrain though.

Beautifully gear, but my ones cost less than $40 do the same job.